CYTOKINE GENE-EXPRESSION IN CELLS DERIVED FROM CSF OF MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Cytokines are produced by numerous cell types in the peripheral blood and central nervous system (CNS), and have been implicated in the immu nopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the relationshi p between cytokine gene expression of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) derive d cells from MS patients and disease activity as measured by contrast enhanced MRI. There was a significant correlation between the number o f CSF cells and the number of contrast enhancing MRI lesions. Cytokine gene expression of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 was routinely seen , but IL-4 expression was absent except in two clinically quiescent pa tients. Trends were observed toward decreased TNF-alpha expression, bu t increased IL-10 expression, after treatment with IFN-beta 1b. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.